Djokovic, Federer both stage Houdini acts

DARREN WALTON

Last updated 16:18 06/06/2012

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Tennis wizards Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer staged a couple of extraordinary Houdini acts to set up another mouth-watering French Open semi-final at Roland Garros on Friday.

Djokovic staved off four match points to keep his grand slam dream alive with a desperate 6-1 5-7 5-7 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 quarter-final escape against inspired French fifth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

For the second year running, Federer stands between the Serb and an elusive first final appearance in Paris after the 16-times major winner also produced a miraculous fightback against big-hitting Argentine ninth seed Juan Martin del Potro.

Federer's 3-6 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 6-0 6-3 triumph, the Swiss superstar's seventh career comeback win from two sets down, equalled Jimmy Connors' record of 31 grand slam semi-final appearances.

The third seed said he drew inspiration from his recovery from two sets down against Tommy Haas three years ago and another five-set victory over del Potro in the semi-finals in 2009, the year he won the title.

"You are happy it's a grand slam because any other tournament I would have been out of the tournament," Federer said.

"This way, the road to victory is much longer and it's not a sprint - it's a marathon.

"I knew it was going to be a tricky match. I knew that margins were not on my side anymore.

"That's where I just tried to keep playing tough, make him understand how far he still had to go as well because I had a very long way.

"I'm happy I came through. I feel great after the five-setter, so I'm obviously happy I get two days, but it's not necessary.

"I'm looking forward to a big semi-final."

Federer shattered Djokovic's spectacular 41-match winning streak to start 2011 in last year's Roland Garros semi-finals and the Serb said he didn't want to think about another showdown with the Swiss master just yet.

"We all know his quality and can always expect him to perform his best at this stage of the tournament," Djokovic said.

The reigning Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open champion's exciting quest for a non-calendar-year grand slam sweep came within a point of ending on four occasions in the fourth set as Tsonga had the French crowd in a frenzy on Court Philippe Chatrier.

"There is really not any rational explanation or a word that can describe what you're supposed to do when you're match points down or when you're losing and you're very close to losing the match," Djokovic said.

"It's, I guess, trying to be mentally tough and believing in your shots.

"This level of tennis is very mental, lots of emotions.

"If you're playing top player and home favourite and you have a crowd that is supporting him incredibly so, you have to face all these things."

Tsonga was left mentally crushed and physically exhausted by his defeat, which cruelled hopes of a first French men's champion at Roland Garros since Yannick Noah in 1983.

"I did what I said I would and gave everything," he said.

"I came close and I would have loved to have won. It's a shame because I was pretty close but, at the end, I had no energy left."

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- AAP